2023 Local Volunteer Opportunities

Looking for ways to volunteer locally? See below for opportunities at Fellow-led and Fellow-recommended organizations, with links to sign up and get involved. This growing list features both upcoming and ongoing volunteer opportunities to address critical needs and benefit our communities. Is there an opportunity at your organization you would like to share? Email us your recommendations here.

Find Your Cause Through Chicago Cares Events

Chicago Cares will host Find Your Cause, an in-person opportunity to connect local organizations with volunteers looking for hands-on, skills-based and board service opportunities. Participants will engage in workshops to be connected to catalytic opportunities to serve in the community.
Learn more and sign up here. | Find additional volunteer opportunities here.

Volunteers Needed for Food Packing/Distribution and Earth Day at Instituto del Progreso Latino

Instituto del Progreso Latino hosts a monthly Drive-Thru Food Bank which needs help packing and distributing food on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Free produce is distributed to the community on a first come, first served basis.
Location: 2520 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
Sign up by emailing Viviana Gonzalez at: v.gonzalez@idpl.org 

Blood Donors and Ambassadors Needed for
The American Red Cross

The Greater Chicago Red Cross needs donors of all blood types, especially type O donors and those giving platelets, to keep the blood supply strong enough to support critical patient care. The current blood shortage could impact patients needing surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, those suffering from chronic conditions such as sickle cell, or patients suffering from cancer. Make an appointment to donate blood here.

Blood Donor Ambassadors engage donors by greeting, registering, answering questions, providing information and supporting them through the recovery process at the refreshments table. Positions will vary based on location. Apply to be a Blood Donor Ambassador | Find more volunteer opportunities here.

Join Chicago Furniture Bank's Honest Junk Community Ambassador Program 

Chicago Furniture Bank’s (CFB) social enterprise, Honest Junk, was created to fund the operations of CFB and seeks community members to spread their mission through a new Community Ambassador Program. 30-40 pickups are required per day to furnish 4,500 homes in 2023. Support as a community ambassador will help reach this goal. Learn more and sign up here. | Find additional volunteer opportunities here.

Volunteers Needed to Pack Food Boxes at Greater Chicago Food Depository

The Greater Chicago Food Depository needs volunteers to repack donated and purchased food. The food they receive at the warehouse comes in bulk quantities, and volunteers break it down into manageable sizes. In a repack session you may sort produce, inspect and box shipments of bread, or repack bulk dry goods (pasta, rice, beans) into smaller quantities. Some jobs may require lifting (Ages 11+). Learn more and sign up here. | Find additional volunteer opportunities here.

Volunteers of All Ages Needed for Service and Civic Action at The Honeycomb Project

The Honeycomb Project hosts a variety of projects each month to help families and children get out of the house and into the community, from packing healthy meals to lending a hand at Lurie Children's Hospital. They take care of the planning and details so you can enjoy the experience of volunteering with your kids by creating enriching experiences for everyone in your family. Learn more and sign up here.

Volunteers Needed to Cook, Coach, Teach and More at LPCS

Lincoln Park Community Services (LPCS) needs volunteers to cook meals for its guests at two shelter locations, teach financial literacy, serve as a job coach, support the front desk, and work with guests on neighborhood beautification projects. LPCS empowers individuals facing homelessness and poverty to secure stable housing and make sustainable life changes. Learn more and sign up here.  

Volunteers Needed to Assist Youth Programming at Marillac St. Vincent Family Services

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services (MSV) needs volunteers to help produce The Willie Morris Summer Basketball Tournament (referees, score keepers and lunch servers) and the winter Christmas Store (toy sorting, gift wrapping, etc.). MSV provides vital programs and services in the areas of early childhood education, youth services and community outreach. Learn more and sign up here.

Volunteers Needed for Childcare, Front Desk and Cleaning at New Moms

New Moms has regular opportunities and recurring projects that you can participate in at all three locations (Austin neighborhood, Garfield Park neighborhood and Oak Park neighborhood). Volunteer childcare associates, front desk ambassadors and Bright Space cleaning day helpers are needed. New Moms provides housing, paid job training, academic coaching and family support for young mothers impacted by systemic and structural barriers. Learn more and sign up here.

Volunteers Needed to Sort, Stock and Distribute Food at Nourishing Hope

Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, needs volunteers to help pack groceries, sort food and other important tasks for the most vulnerable communities at all of their locations. Opportunities are available for adults, children, families and corporate and community-service groups. A virtual orientation is required for new volunteers. Nourishing Hope provides food, mental wellness counseling and other social services to Chicago neighbors in need. Learn more and sign up here. 

Volunteer Mentors Needed to Support and Guide Boys of Color Through Project OneTen

Project OneTen supports Chicago boys of color during the critical transition to high school through mentorship, academic skill building and fostering of community and belonging. The nonprofit seeks volunteer mentors to support students, both socially and emotionally, guide them in setting goals and help create strategies to achieve goals. These relationships, alongside Project OneTen's monthly programming, create safe spaces for students to reflect, stretch and grow. Learn more and sign up here.

Volunteer Through a Variety of Opportunities With the United Way of Metro Chicago

United Way of Metro Chicago offers a variety of ways to volunteer and give back. Whether you’re looking to get out into the community, volunteer virtually from home or volunteer as a team at your company’s office, they have a project for you. Opportunities range from virtual mock job interviewing and resume building, to organizing food pantries and gardening at a local community center. Learn more and sign up here.